The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-26

| from the enormous mass of evidence they pos
sessed. s There was suffcisn. . fonn-
the columns of the local newspapers. without
going into the governments confidential reports
Mr. baifour argued that when Mr. dlaostone
proclaim med the Land League he did so when Me.
| Parnell was imprisoned and when Parliament
was sitting, and that he afforded no information
TO any one concerned He quoted at length
guilty OF boycotung coercing and instigaiing In
! fractions of the law.
| Sir William Vernon Harcourt asked the Speak
| er whether the documents from which he quoted
| would be submitted to the House
Mr. Balfour refused to submit the documents,
and. proceeding, narrated other instances of the
leagues unlawful action.
Sir William asked the Speaker whether Mr..
Balfour was not bound to table the official docu-
ments cited.
The Speaker replied that Mr. Balfour was
not bound to table confidential, documents, but
the case different with official paners, which
the House might want to verify lOppositlon
cheers.l Although Mr.. Balfour was justified
IL quoting from confidential documents. the au-
thority of such quotations was weakened be-
cause the documents had not been tabled.
Harcourt-After the Speakers ruling expect
that the papers will be tabled
Mr. Balfour-I shall do nothing of the kind.
My documents OF three sorts-public and
confidential papers. and my own notes. IT the
people realized the true nature ard working of
the league they would, regardless of creed
party. support the government ministerial
cheers Mr.. Bafour accused the opposition.
II.
apologists for, and therefore accomplices in. in
timidation.
Mr.. Harrington (Natonalist) commented upon
the wOrthiessness of documents which the gov
ernment refused to table. He said it would be
the duty of the league to continue to work and
not to shrink from the consequences
Mr.. Buchanan Liberal Unionist) said that the
governments action was il-timed Mr. Balfour
had not given a fair account of the doings of the
league, which, from the most reliable data in
the possession of the House, only bad been
InSt al in h4v m ced in
Ireland. The English people desired that the
Irish difficulty be treated amicably The gov
srnmens were pursuing the contrary course. He
hoped that even at the last moment they would
refrain from continuing their unwise policy.
I. w. Russell, after remarking that Mr. Glad
stone had somewhat misconstrued some of his
statements, protested against the coercion of the
league, but said that having supported the
crimes BILL he could not withhold from the gov
ernment the powers they demanded.
Mr. Brajaugh (Radicall said that boycotting
was not peculiarly Irish institution, but
invented in England to exterminate the Irish
IF the governments statements. were true why
had they not proclaimed the league before
association for the promotion of crme2 The
country would Judge the conduct of the govern
ment. which obtained powers ostensibly to sup.
press crime, but really to suppress political
organization which they dreaded.
Z. p OConnor tNationnlistl said that the
effect of the proclamation would be to
the partition existing between the tenantry,
and the evicting landlords. Admitting there
had been few cases of intimidation. the gov
ernment had ample power to deal with them
without proclaiming the league. Intimidation
had not been unusual with English trades
unions Where the league strong there
was little trouble. but where weak. there was
much trouble. In many cases branches had
been dissolved by the central body for boycotting
and other actions which the league disapproved.
On motion of Sir G. o. Trevlyan. the debate
adjourned. Mr.. Chamberlain was absent
during the debate.
The arguments of Mr.. Gladstone and his fol-
lowers as set forth in to-nieht's debate. were. to
a based q
Sir Redyers Butler. Under Secretary for Ireland.
which was exhaustvely discussed at the con-
ference of Liberal members held today. Pre-
suming that General Buffers sources OF infor-
nation to the state of Ireland were ample and
reliable. and that his report moodies the most
damaging evidence against the National League
that could be secured, the Liberals contend that
by Buffers and consequently the governments
ven SLY ewlag. the Ministrys proceeding against
Che league was without warrant in fact or sus-
picion
The cabinet Council. which was in session two
hours to-day. devoted its time to discussing the
National League question, and it is understood,
without reaching any other decision than the one
arrived at when the council to day met.
Lord Randolph Churchill has returned to Lon
don He is not expected to speak during the
present debate in the House Of Commons, but
he will vote for the government.
Lord Harrington will follow Sir G. o. Trevel-
yam in the debate tomorrow night
The Daily News says: 'Messrs. Chamber
lain and Collins and half dozen other Unionists
will vote in support of MIR. Gladstones motion.
ment keenly feels the peculiarly embarrassing
position in which it is placed. 1t is afraid to go
further forward and dare not 60 back. Threat
ened with the loss Of popular support on the one
hand, and the wrath of the Tory squires the
other, the Ministry know not which way to turn.
and the probabilities that the ultimate
suit will be split in the Conservative party.
Lord Salisbury and Mr.. Balfour remained in
conversation together for some time after the ad-
journment of the council.
Mr. Bright. in letter supporting the crimes
act says mo government would risk the
popularity arising from such measure unless
convinced that 1t was necessary" Referring to
Mr.. Gladstone he saws mo Minister has done
more for Ireland, and am often almost ready to
think that in despair he is willing to hand them
over in future to the tender merces of the men
who have given him much trouble during his
tenure of Office, in 1880 and 1881"
The Nation advises the National League
branches to continue their operations regardless
of the proclamation, and declares that if the
right of public meeting is denied them they must
meet privately. The paper announces that it
will undertake to publish the reports of all
league meetings in defiance of the consequences,
whatever they may be.